John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible
1 Samuel 28 - Introduction
INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 28
The Philistines gathering together, to fight with Israel, Saul trembled at it, not being able to get any answer from the Lord about it in any way whatever, 1 Samuel 28:1; upon which he applies to a woman that had a familiar spirit to bring him up Samuel, which she did, 1 Samuel 28:7; and what passed between Saul and Samuel, or at least the apparition in his form, is recorded, 1 Samuel 28:15; which so struck him, as to make him strengthless, and so melancholy, that he refused to eat until persuaded, or rather compelled, by the woman and his servants, 1 Samuel 28:20.